The digital nomad phenomenon has gained significant traction in recent years, with an increasing number of professionals opting to work remotely while traveling.
Almost everyone knows how to download a VPN for a borderless access on the world wide web nowadays, and more people get tech-savvy because of it.
The attraction of the digital nomad lifestyle stems from the ability to break away from traditional office routines and create a personalized work-life balance. This approach allows individuals to set their own schedules, and do their job from their inspiring remote work setup.
When deciding to start your digital nomad journey, it's important to prepare yourself with all the things necessary for your digital landscape ecosystem.
From using VPN for a more secure internet connection to investing in some productivity tools to ensure you get all the work done in between your travels, here are the best apps for digital nomads you should add to your long-term travel checklist!
Best Digital Nomads to Streamline Your Lifestyle on the Go
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Organization and Time Management Apps
As a long-term traveler, organization skills are a must-have for digital nomads as they require them to balance their work and travel effectively. Time management is essential, whether you're deciding how long to stay in one place or simply planning a day trip in between your work.
The good news is that there are several apps available to help us stay on top of our schedules and tasks despite being on the go. One of the project management tools that I can vouch for is Trello, as I've used it since I started working remotely in 2017. The interface is simple, which makes it easier to understand—even if you're not tech-savvy!
Nowadays, I still use Trello for personal use as my boyfriend and I usually create an itinerary there. We create a list of places to visit in our travel destination, as well as attaching links or uploading e-tickets that we purchase for easy access. It streamlines our travel plan, and we can use it for free!
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I've switched to Blue for work due to some considerations—including because my company is growing and the free version of Trello is pretty limiting for my business purpose.
My main consideration is the cost, as I can get the lifetime premium access for Blue through Appsumo, and it cost me only $59 for their basic premium plan.
Similar to Trello, it also has an intuitive interface and customizable features, with the ability for users to install their app on the phone as well.
The only downside is that it gets pretty laggy, but it has every feature that Trello has—and even more so, because they do have a built-in chat feature among team members, which brings us to the next apps!
Communication and Collaboration Apps
Everyone who has worked remotely knows that effective communication and collaboration are crucial when you and your teammates can only rely on online meetings to address any issues that you may encounter at work.
While Trello and Blue are great tools for facilitating seamless communication and collaboration through their comment features, I prefer apps like Slack or Discord for team communication because they allow you to connect with people through private DMs. They’re great if there's a possibility to send individual feedback through chats, and it also allows you for voice and video calls depending on the plan you're on.
Although Zoom has gained its popularity since the pandemic hit a few years ago, I think many people sleep on the OG: Skype.
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I know the app is forgotten by many, but if you're a digital nomad and you travel frequently, you know how versatile Skype can give you in terms of functionalities. You can use it as a regular video chat, but on top of that you can also buy credits to get on international calls at a fraction of the regular price!
I learned it the hard way when I got pickpocketed in Serbia and had to call my bank in Indonesia to block my cards. But thankfully, I barely spent $5 for an important call to my bank – and all could be sorted out in just a few minutes because of Skype!
Finance and Expense Tracking Apps
Given the constant travel and multiple income sources if you're a freelancer or a business owner, managing finances and tracking expenses is critical for your lifestyle—both personally and professionally!
For my business, I definitely recommend Zoho Invoice to track all my income and expenses. Even if you use their free version, you can invite up to 3 additional members which makes it convenient if you hire an accountant or a finance manager for your business.
Since I mostly travel with my boyfriend, I also love TravelSpend app to track our travel expenses, split our bills, and calculate the money we owe to each other for the trip. It's an app that we've had for years – and it's been always helpful ever since we started dating and traveling together!
In addition to finance tracking apps, as a digital nomad you also want apps that enable you to withdraw money and make international transactions without having to pay a notorious fee along the way—and that's how apps like Wise and Revolut can be super handy for you.
If you work with international clients or employees, they also enable you to send money overseas—some make it even possible to send it in real time!
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Mobile Data Apps
When you constantly travel, it can be pretty annoying to change your number and SIM card whenever you arrive in a new destination. If this is you, I'd recommend investing in mobile devices that support e-SIM so you can start using e-SIM apps like Airalo or Yesim for whenever you travel to a new country.
Another thing to keep in mind is the censorship in your travel destination, which may halt your responsibilities at work without using a VPN.
VPNs like Surfshark enable you to connect privately in incognito—especially if you need to break through high censorship, such as those in China or Myanmar.
Travel and Accommodation Apps
Digital nomads rely on travel and accommodation apps to plan their journeys and find suitable places to stay while working remotely.
Airbnb is probably the most popular app for this – especially for those looking for a place to stay for a medium- to long-term period. In some selected countries, you can also consider using Vrbo to find a wide range of accommodations, from apartments to houses and even just a room!
If you're a digital nomad looking to connect with like-minded people, staying in a coliving space can be a great way to network with other remote workers and business owners.
Google Flights is also a reliable choice to find some affordable flight tickets so you can easily plan for your next trip from time to time!
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Health and Wellness Apps
Maintaining health and wellness is crucial for digital nomads who often face challenges such as irregular schedules, long hours of sitting, and adapting to new environments.
Lucky for us, technology helps us tremendously to ensure we can find something to support our physical and mental well-being.
One popular app among digital nomads is Headspace, which offers guided meditation and mindfulness exercises to help you reduce stress and improve focus. On top of that, it also has the white noise feature that can help you sleep better – as well as music for relaxation!
I also love nutrition tracking apps like MyFitnessPal to maintain a healthy diet by setting nutritional goals by logging your meals and counting calories if needed.
These health and wellness apps are definitely a must if you're a digital nomad looking to prioritize self-care while navigating the challenges of remote working and traveling non-stop.
Conclusion
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The rise of digital nomads has transformed the way people work and travel, offering a unique blend of freedom, flexibility, and adventure.
With the help of organization and time management apps, communication and collaboration apps, finance and expense tracking apps, travel and accommodation apps, as well as health and wellness apps, digital nomads can navigate the challenges of remote work while embracing the opportunities of location independence.
As technology continues to advance and remote work becomes more mainstream, the digital nomad lifestyle is expected to thrive as individuals seek meaningful experiences beyond traditional office boundaries.
Embracing this lifestyle requires a proactive approach to managing work-life balance, staying connected with others while planning your travels efficiently. By leveraging the right digital nomad apps, you can create a fulfilling nomad lifestyle that aligns with your personal values and aspirations!
Disclaimer:
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